Passive Rotation Of A Valve Using Fluid Flow

ABSTRACT

The presnt disclosure relates to passively rotating a valve using fluid flow. Some aspects may involve a valve including a body, a lower stem, and vanes. The body may include a bottom portion that can be positioned with respect to a seat for preventing fluid flow when the valve is in a closed position. The lower stem may extend axially from the bottom portion of the body to position the bottom portion with respect to the seat. The vanes may extend from the body and be responsive to the fluid flow while the valve is in an open position such that the valve and the lower stem rotate with respect to the seat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to valves for use with wellboreoperations, and more particularly (although not necessarilyexclusively), to using energy of fluid flow to rotate a valve forpumping fluid.

BACKGROUND

Pumping systems for a well, such as an oil or gas well for extractinghydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean formation, can involvemaintenance as different components wear. Operating the pumping systemcan cause specific portions of a component to wear more quickly thanother portions of the component. Components that wear unevenly mayinvolve maintenance that is more frequent and may lead to increasedcosts. Even when the pumping system is located at the surface of thewell, the well may be inoperable while maintenance is being performed onthe pumping system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of a pump system withpositive displacement pumps that include suction and discharge valvesfor use with a wellbore according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of a valve assembly accordingto one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a valve with vanes extending from thebottom of the valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a valve with vanes extending from thetop of the valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a valve with vanes extending radiallyfrom the valve according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a valve with vanes extending from thebottom of the valve at an acute angle according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a bottom retainer for a valveassembly and with profiled support arms according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a wing-style valve with vanesaccording to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a valve assembly in an openposition with fluid flow according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of an example of a process for passivelyrotating the valve assembly of FIG. 9 using fluid flow according to oneaspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate torotating a valve using a force from fluid flowing through a pump. Thevalve may include a seal for cooperating with a seat to allow the valveto prevent fluid from flowing through the pump while the valve is in aclosed position. In an open position, the seal or seat can be moved toallow fluid flow through the pump. The valve can include vanes that canrespond to the fluid flowing through the pump and cause the valve torotate with respect to the seat.

In some aspects, the valve may be part of a pumping system associatedwith wellbore operations. In additional or alternative examples, thevalve may be a suction or discharge valve for pumping of mud, cement,water, sand slurries, or any other fluid. For example, the valve may bepart of a valve assembly in a positive displacement pump for pumpinghydraulic fracking fluid into a wellbore.

A positive displacement pump can be positioned at the surface of thewell for use with wellbore operations and can include a suction valveand discharge valve. A positive displacement pump can trap a fixedamount of fluid in a cavity and then discharge the trapped fluid. Thecavity can expand and contract based on the movement of a piston. Fluidmay flow through the suction valve and into the cavity as the cavityexpands. As the cavity contracts, the fluid may flow out of the pumpthrough the discharge valve.

One component of a positive displacement pump is a valve assembly thatcontrols the suction or discharge of fluid from the pump. A suctionvalve assembly can move from a closed position to an open position toallow fluid to enter the pump. A discharge valve assembly can move froma closed position to an open position to allow fluid to exit the pump.

A valve assembly for a positive displacement plunger or piston pump mayinclude a combination of a top retainer, spring, valve, seal, seat, andbottom retainer. The top retainer may differ in design between thesuction and discharge valve assemblies, but the top retainer mayfunction the same. On either the suction or discharge stroke of thepump, the valve can be lifted from contact with the seat (e.g. pushedupward) due to the pressure imbalance across the valve, to allow fluidto enter or exit the pump.

Due in part to the high rates of erosion and the large stress changesexperienced during operation, the valves can wear and may eventuallyfail. Valves may fail due to excessive wear in one section of the valveseal and body. Even when the valve surface is cylindrical, the velocitydistribution of the fluid around the valve may not be uniform. Forexample, a bottom retainer may create a blockage in the flow path thataccelerates the fluid in the unblocked areas. Additionally oralternatively, the downstream flow path may affect the flow distributionthrough the valve, accelerating the fluid toward the discharge side ofthe pump.

In some aspects, valves and seats may be made from materials that canhelp reduce wear on the valves and seats. But, focused wear can stillcreate grooves in the valve, such as in the seal of the valve, that cancause the valve to fail due to a portion of the valve experiencinggreater wear than another portion. Rotating the valve during operationcan cause the surface of the valve to contact a different location onthe seat and be exposed to a different portion of the fluid flow.Concentrated wear can be distributed over the valve surface, rather thanjust one location, which may prolong the life of the valve body, seal,and seat.

In some aspects, adding vanes, blades, or other structures to the valvesurface or assembly can cause the valve to rotate with respect to fluidflow. The momentum of the fluid flow past the valve body may impart arotational moment on the valve by impinging the vanes or otherstructures. Provided the induced moment is larger than the frictionalresistance (e.g., from the valve spring and guide bushings), the valvecan rotate. The design of the valves and vanes, as well as the operatingflow rate of the pump, may affect the degree of valve rotation.

The vanes may be formed and attached to the valve in different ways. Insome aspects, the vanes can be cut from plate steel, press formed to adesired curvature, and welded to the valve. In some aspects, the vanescan be forged as part of the valve. In some aspects, the vanes may bemachined with the valve body. In some aspects, the valve body and thevanes can be created using laser metal additive manufacturing. In someaspects, the vanes can be three-dimensionally printed with acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene, or other polymer, and attached to the valve withepoxy.

The vanes may be attached to any portion of the valve. In some examples,the vanes can extend from a bottom portion of the valve proximate to theseat. In other examples, the vanes can extend from a top portion of thevalve proximate to the top retainer and spring. In other examples, thevanes can extend radially from exterior surfaces coupling the topportion and the bottom portion. In other examples, vanes may extend froma combination of the top portion, the bottom portion, and exteriors ofthe valve.

In some aspects, the vanes are profiled edges of wings of a wing-stylevalve. The wings extend from a lower stem and can translate along theinner bore of the valve seat. By having a portion of the wings remain inthe valve seat while the valve is in both an open position and a closedposition, the valve remains in alignment with respect to the seat. Thewings may have a profiled edge such that the fluid flow can contact theprofiled edge when the valve is in the open position to create torque onthe valve. A profiled edge may be an external surface of the wing thatcouples two sides. For example, two sides of a wing may be coupled at anedge, and a profiled edge may be formed by beveling or rounding theedge. Alternatively, the wing may be forged with the profiled edgecoupling the two sides. The profiled edge may form a vane and when thevalve is in the open position, the profiled edges may respond to thefluid flow and cause the valve to rotate with respect to the seat.

In some aspects, rotating the valve can extend the life of the valve,which may result in significant cost savings in hardware, maintenance,and non-productive time. Rotating the valve can keep the valve seatclean, distribute the operating wear over the entire surface of thevalve, and prevent the seal and the seat surfaces from developingaligned channels that can result in jetting and eventual failure of thevalves.

In addition to cost savings, there may be health and safety benefits forrotating valves. By extending the valve life, the number of parts to betransported to the job location can be reduced, the amount of time fieldtechnicians are exposed to potentially hazardous environments whenperforming maintenance on the pumps can be reduced, and the number oftimes the trapped pressure in the pump is released can be reduced.

These illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to thegeneral subject matter discussed here and are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe variousadditional features and examples with reference to the drawings in whichlike numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions areused to describe the illustrative aspects but, like the illustrativeaspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example of a pump system 100according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The pump system 100includes positive displacement pumps 104 a-f fluidly coupled to atreatment fluid source 102. In some aspects, the treatment fluid source102 may include a low pressure manifold fluidly coupled to a blender.The blender may combine one or more components (e.g. water, sand, andgel) to form a treatment fluid that is pumped to the low pressuremanifold. The low pressure manifold may be fluidly coupled to each ofthe positive displacement pumps 104 a-f.

Within each positive displacement pump 104 a-f is a suction valve 106a-f and a discharge valve 108 a-f. The suction valves 106 a-f can allowlow-pressure treatment fluid to enter the positive displacement pumps104 a-f while the discharge valves 108 a-f can allow high-pressuretreatment fluid to flow to a common manifold 110. From the commonmanifold 110, the treatment fluid can be pumped into the wellbore 112.

In some aspects, the treatment fluid may be a hydraulic fracking fluidthat can be pumped into the wellbore to release production fluid such asoil and gas. The suction valves 106 a-f and discharge valves 108 a-f mayinclude vanes that can allow the suction valves 106 a-f and dischargevalves 108 a-f to rotate. By rotating the suction valves 106 a-f anddischarge valves 108 a-f, the concentrated wear may be reduced and thelife of the suction valves 106 a-f and discharge valves 108 a-f may beprolonged. Prolonging the life of the suction valves 106 a-f anddischarge valves 108 a-f may reduce the maintenance cost for the pumpsystem 100 and can reduce the non-productive time.

Although FIG. 1 depicts each of the positive displacement pumps 104 a-fwith a suction valve 106 a-f and a discharge valve 108 a-f, a differentcombination of pumps and valves may be used. For example, a pumpingsystem may include a single positive displacement pump with a dischargevalve feeding directly into a wellbore. Alternatively, a pumping systemmay include several pumps and each pump may have several suction valvesand a single discharge valve feeding into a common manifold.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded, perspective view of a valve assembly 200according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The valve assembly200 includes a top retainer 202, at least a portion of which issurrounded by a spring 204. The top retainer 202 includes a housing foraccepting an upper stem 206 extending axially from a top portion ofvalve 208. Vanes 210 and lower stem 212 extend axially from a bottomportion of valve 208. The valve 208 also includes a seal 214 coupled toits bottom portion. A seat 216 is located adjacent to the bottom portionof the valve 208 such that the lower stem 212 can pass through anopening within the seat 216. A bottom retainer 218 is located adjacentto the other side of the seat 216 such that a portion of the lower stemcan be housed within an opening in the bottom retainer.

Although the valve 208 in FIG. 2 is depicted as cylindrical, valves ofother shapes may be used. Furthermore, descriptions of a portion of avalve as a top, bottom, or exterior used herein are intended to denote acomponent relative to other components in a valve assembly and are notintended to imply that a particular orientation is required.

The top retainer 202 in FIG. 2 has a conical shape that includes aseries of cylindrical sections. In some aspects, the cylindrical sectionwith the largest diameter may prevent a fluid flow from passing throughthe top retainer 202. For example, in a discharge valve assembly a topretainer may redirect the flow towards an exit of the pump. Inalternative aspects, cylindrical sections may include openings to allowfluid to flow therethrough. For example, in a suction valve assembly atop retainer may allow a fluid flow therethrough and into a pump. Acylindrical section closest to the valve 208 forms a housing in which aportion of the upper stem 206 may be positioned during operation of thevalve assembly 200. The closest cylindrical section, as well asadditional cylindrical sections farther from the valve 208, may passthrough a portion of the spring 204 such that one end of the spring 204can couple to the top retainer 202.

The other end of the spring 204 can couple to the valve 208. The spring204 can apply a force in a closed position of the valve assembly 200 toretain the seal 214 against the seat 216 such the valve assembly 200 canprevent fluid flow therethrough. In a closed position, fluid may beunable to flow from the bottom retainer side of the valve 208 (referredto as upstream) between the seal 214 and the seat 216 to the topretainer side of the valve 208 (referred to as downstream). Fluid can beunable to flow through the valve assembly 200 and may accumulateupstream of the valve 208 to create a pressure differential across thevalve 208. The pressure differential across the valve 208 can exceed athreshold amount and cause an opening between the seal 214 and the seat216, such that the valve assembly 200 is in an open position. In theopen position, fluid may flow through the opening between the seal 214and the seat 216. As the fluid flows through the valve assembly 200, thepressure differential across the valve 208 may be reduced. The pressuredifferential across the valve 208 can fall below a threshold amount suchthat the spring 204 may cause the opening between the seal 214 and the216 to close.

The vanes 210 extend from the bottom portion of the valve such thatfluid flowing through the valve assembly 200 in an open position maycontact the vanes. The force of the fluid contacting the vanes 210 maygenerate enough torque on the valve 208 to cause the valve 208 to rotatewith respect to the seat 216. In addition to the valve 208 rotating, theupper stem 206, vanes 210, lower stem 212, and seal 214 may rotate aswell.

The seal 214 is included in valve 208 and forms an external surface ofthe valve 208 that may contact the seat 216 to prevent fluid flowthrough the valve assembly 200. The seat 216 may have a ring shape andinclude an opening for fluid to flow therethrough. An inner edge of thering may be beveled such that the seat 216 includes an inner surfacewith a similar attitude as a surface of the seal 214. When the valveassembly 200 is in an open position, fluid may flow through the openingin the seat 216 and between the inner surface of the seat 216 and thesurface of the seal 214. When the valve assembly 200 is in a closedposition, the inner surface of the seat 216 may be in contact with thesurface of the seal 214 and may prevent fluid flow through the valveassembly 200. In some aspects, the seat and opening therethrough may beany shape

The bottom retainer 218 can be the furthest upstream component of thevalve assembly 200. The bottom retainer 218 includes an inner member 220with two support arms 222 a-b extending radially from the inner member220 to an outer ring 224. The inner member 220 is cylindrical in FIG. 2,but an inner member according to other examples can be other shapes. Theinner member 220 may have an opening therein for housing a portion ofthe lower stem 212 to maintain alignment of the seal 214 with respect tothe seat 216. In some examples, any number of support arms 222 a-b maymaintain alignment of the opening in the inner member 220 with the lowerstem 212.

FIG. 2 depicts a stem-guided valve 208 such that the top retainer 202can house a portion of the upper stem 206 and the bottom retainer 218can house a portion of the lower stem 212. Positioning a portion of theupper stem 206 in the top retainer 202 and lower stem 212 in the bottomretainer 218 can maintain alignment of the seal 214 and the seat 216.But, any type of valve may be used (e.g., a wing-style valve). In someaspects, the top retainer 202 and the bottom retainer 218 may be adifferent shape, size, and configuration, depending on the type of pump,the type of valve, and the location of the valve. For example, a valveassembly using wing-style valves, may include a bottom retainer combinedwith a seat. A wing-style valve may include wings that extend radiallyfrom the lower stem. A portion of these wings may remain within theopening in the seat during operation of the valve assembly. Inadditional or alternative aspects, the wings may include vanes by havinga profiled edge or surface that may respond to a fluid flow by applyingtorque to the valve. Although the vanes 210 in FIG. 2 are depicted asextending perpendicular from the bottom portion of valve 208, the designand position of the vanes 210 may vary. For example, the vanes 210 maybe manufactured with a different vane height, entrance angle, exitangle, or bucket depth. The height of the vane 210 may have an impact onthe observed torque. In some aspects, extending the vanes 210 as closeto the bottom retainer 218 as possible may result in the vanes 210interacting with the high velocity fluid being pumped through theopening between the seal 214 and the seat 216. In additional oralternative aspects, the vanes 210 may extend from the top portion ofthe valve 208 or extend radially from an exterior surface coupling thetop portion to the bottom portion.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a valve 300 for a valve assembly withvanes 304 extending from a bottom portion of the valve 300 according toone aspect of the present disclosure. The valve 300 includes a seal 302that can prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly when in theclosed position. The vanes 304 extend perpendicularly from the bottomportion of the valve 300 and include a curved surface for responding toa fluid flow and causing torque on the valve 300 when the valve assemblyis in an open position. A lower stem 306 extends axially from the bottomportion of the valve. The lower stem 306 can be positioned such that aportion of the lower stem 306 remains within an opening in a bottomretainer when the valve assembly is in an open position and when thevalve assembly is in a closed position. Positioning the lower stem 306such that a portion remains within the opening in the bottom retainermay allow the seal 302 to remain in alignment with a seat. Although notdepicted in FIG. 3, the valve 300 may include an upper stem as well aslower stem 306.

The vanes 304 extend from the bottom portion of the valve 300 at aposition with respect to the seal 302 such that the vanes 304 allow theseal 302 to contact a seat. In some aspects, the vanes 304 may bepositioned axisymmetrically around the lower stem 306. In additional oralternative aspects, the vanes 304 can each include two curved surfaces.An apex of the curved surfaces can determine the direction of the torqueinduced on the valve 300 when the valve assembly is in an open position.For example, positioning the vanes 304 axissymmetrically around thelower stem 306 with the apexes extending clockwise may induce clockwisetorque. In other aspects, the vanes 304 may have flat surfaces and bepositioned nonsymmetrical. Although a plurality of vanes 304 aredepicted in FIG. 3, valve 300 may have one or more vanes 304. The designof each vane 304 (e.g., thickness, length, height, curvature, inlet andoutlet angles) as well as the number of vanes 304 may determine theamount of torque induced on valve 300 when the valve assembly is in anopen position.

Furthermore, in FIG. 3 the vanes 304 couple indirectly to the lower stem306. In other aspects, the vanes 304 may directly couple to the lowerstem 306. In additional or alternative aspects, the vanes 304 may coupleindirectly to the bottom portion by coupling directly to the lower stem306.

By positioning the vanes 304 on the bottom portion of the valve 300, aportion of the fluid flow may contact the vanes 304 prior to the portionof the fluid flow passing between the seal 302 and a seat. Additionally,when the valve assembly is in the closed position, there may be minimalfluid motion near the surface of the vanes 304, which may prevent thevalve 300 from experiencing torque while the valve assembly is in theclosed position. Positioning the vanes 304 on the bottom portion canreduce the negative effects if a vane 304 breaks. In the event that aportion of a vane 304 breaks off during operation due to erosion, thevalve 300 can prevent most large pieces from passing through the pump tothe wellhead.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a valve 400 for a valve assembly withvanes 404 extending from a top portion of the valve 400 according to oneaspect of the present disclosure. The valve 400 also includes a seal 402and an upper stem 406.

The seal 402 can prevent fluid flow when the valve assembly is in aclosed position. The seal 402 may be any part of the bottom portion ofthe valve 400 with the vanes 404 on the top portion of the valve 400.The upper stem 406 extends from the top portion of the valve 400. Theupper stem 406 can be positioned such that a portion of the upper stem406 remains within a housing of a top retainer. Positioning the upperstem 406 to remain within the top retainer may allow the seal 402 toremain in alignment with respect to a seat. Although not depicted inFIG. 4, the valve 400 may include a lower stem as well as upper stem406.

The vanes 404 extend from the top portion of the valve 400 and span fromthe edge of the top portion towards the upper stem 406. Vanes 404 thatextend from the top portion of the valve 400 may allow for a simplermanufacturing process, which may reduce the cost of the valve 400. Thevanes 404 may be thin structures with two broad surfaces, similar insome ways to a blade. The two surfaces can be curved and extendperpendicularly from valve 400. In other aspects, the vanes 404 mayextend at non-perpendicular angles and may have flat surfaces. Althougha plurality of vanes 404 are depicted in FIG. 4, valve 400 may have oneor more vanes 404. The design of each vane 404 (e.g., thickness, length,height, curvature, inlet and outlet angles) as well as the number ofvanes 404 may determine the amount of torque induced on valve 400 whenthe valve assembly is in an open position.

In some aspects, the upper stem 406 may extend farther from the topportion than at least one of the vanes 404. In additional or alternativeaspects, at least one of the vanes 404 may extend farther from the topportion than the upper stem 406. In some aspects, the vanes 404 maycouple to a portion of the upper stem 406. For example, the vanes 404may directly couple to the upper stem 406 and indirectly extend from thetop portion of the valve 400.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a valve 500 for a valve assembly withvanes 504 extending radially from the valve 500 according to one aspectof the present disclosure. The valve 500 also includes a seal 502 and anupper stem 506.

The seal 502 can contact a seat to prevent fluid flow through the valveassembly when the valve assembly is in the closed position. With thevanes 504 on the top portion of the valve 500, the seal 502 may coupleto any part of the bottom portion of the valve 500. The upper stem 506extends from the top portion of the valve 500. The upper stem 506 can bepositioned such that a portion of the upper stem 506 remains within thehousing of a top retainer. Positioning a portion of the upper stem 506to remain within the housing of the top retainer may allow the seal 502to remain in alignment with respect to the seat. Although not depictedin FIG. 5, the valve 500 may include a lower stem in addition to theupper stem 506.

The vanes 504 extend perpendicularly from the exterior of the valve 500but gradually curve in a clockwise direction. In alternative aspects,the vanes 504 may curve in a counterclockwise direction. Vanes 504extending radially from the valve 500 may allow for the higher possibletorque than other positions of vanes. Higher fluid velocities, which canproduce the higher momentum transfer, may occur as the fluid passesthrough the narrow opening between the seal 502 and the seat. Bypositioning vanes 504 around the exteriors of the valve 500, the vanes504 may interact with the high velocity fluid passing through theopening.

Although a plurality of vanes 504 are depicted in FIG. 5, valve 500 mayhave one or more vanes 504. The design of each vane 504 (e.g.,thickness, length, height, curvature, inlet and outlet angles) as wellas the number of vanes 504 may determine the amount of torque induced onvalve 500 when the valve assembly is in an open position.

Although FIG. 5 depicts a cylindrical valve 500 with vanes 504 extendingradially from a circumference of the valve 500, valves of other shapesmay be used. For example, a rectangular valve can be used with a topportion, bottom portion, and four exteriors or sides coupling the topportion with the bottom portion. The vanes may extend radially from thefour exteriors.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a valve 600 for a valve assembly withvanes 604 extending at an acute angle according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure. The valve 600 includes a seal 602 and a lower stem606 similar to the seal and the lower stem in FIG. 3. The vanes 604extend from a bottom portion of the valve 600 at an acute angle suchthat each vane is tilted in a clockwise direction creating a pocket. Thepockets may increase the counter-clockwise torque applied to the valve600 when the valve assembly is in an open position. Although FIG. 6depicts the vanes 604 tilted in a clockwise manner, the vanes 604 may betilted in a counter-clockwise manner and at a different angle. Inadditional or alternative aspects, vanes 604 extending from a topportion and exterior portions may form pockets by extending at acuteangles.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a bottom retainer 700 for a valveassembly and that has profiled support arms 702 a-b according to oneaspect of the present disclosure. The bottom retainer 700 can alsoinclude an inner member 704 and ring 706.

The inner member 704 may be cylindrical with an opening therein forhousing a portion of a lower stem. The ring 706 may have an outerdiameter such that fluid flowing through the valve assembly can flowthrough the inner diameter of the ring 706, rather than flowing in otherpassages. Each of the profiled support arms 702 a-b has an end coupledto the ring 706 and another end coupled to the inner member 704. Theprofiled support arms 702 a-b can position the inner member 704 inalignment with the lower stem. In some examples, any number of profiledsupport arms may maintain alignment of the opening in the inner member704 with the lower stem. In some aspects, at least one of the profiledsupport arms 702 a-b may extend from the inner member 704 towards thering 706. In additional or alternative aspects, at least one of theprofiled support arms 702 a-b may extend from the ring 706 towards theinner member 704.

Each of the profiled support arms 702 a-b includes a surface that canalter the path of the fluid flow as the fluid flow contacts with thesurface. The surface may be formed by beveling or rounding an edge ofthe profiled support arm 702 a-b. The amount of swirl introduced can bebased on the number of profiled support arms and the angle of eachsurface. Introducing a swirl to the fluid flow can increase the torqueexperienced by the valve.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a wing-style valve 800 for a valveassembly with vanes 806 according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. The valve 800 includes a seal 802 that can prevent fluidflow through the valve assembly when in the closed position. The lowerstem 804 extends axially from a bottom portion of the valve 800.

The vanes 806 extend both from the bottom portion of valve 800 andradially from the lower stem 804. The vanes 806 and the lower stem 804may be positioned such that a portion of the vanes 806 and lower stem804 remain within the opening in a seat. Positioning the vanes 806 andthe lower stem 804 such that a portion remains within the opening maymaintain alignment of the seal 802 and the seat.

In some aspects, the vanes 806 may directly contact the bottom portionof valve 800. In additional or alternative aspects, each vane 806 may bea profiled edge of a wing extending from the lower stem 804. A wing maybe a member that extends from the lower stem 804 and can translate alongthe inner bore of the seat. By having a portion of the wings remain inthe valve seat when the valve 800 is in both an open position and aclosed position, the valve 800 can remain in alignment with respect tothe seat.

A profiled edge may be an external surface of the wing that couples twosides. For example, two sides of a wing may be coupled at an edge, and aprofiled edge may be formed by beveling or rounding the edge.Alternatively, the wing may be forged with the profiled edge couplingthe two sides.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a valve assembly 900 in anopen position with fluid flow 920 according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. The valve assembly 900 includes similar components to thevalve assembly 200 in FIG. 2: a top retainer 902, a spring 904, an upperstem 906, a valve 908 with vanes 910, a lower stem 912, a seal 914, aseat 916, and a bottom retainer 918. The valve assembly 900 is in anopen position with an opening between the seal 914 and the seat 916 thatforms a part of a path for fluid flow 920.

The path of fluid flow 920 can be determined based on several factors,such as the pump type, fluid type, vane location, and the side of thepump (suction/discharge) that the valve is positioned. The particularflow pattern of the fluid flow 920 can cause concentrated wear on aparticular area of the valve 908 with respect to the seat 916.

For example, the fluid flow 920 can accelerate as fluid passes betweenthe seal 914 and the seat 916. In some aspects, the downstream fluidflow 920 can accelerate as the fluid approaches the exit to the valveassembly 900. The velocity of the fluid flow 920 as the fluid contacts aportion of the valve 908 can affect the amount of wear caused to theportion of the valve 908. Rotating the valve 908 with respect to theseat 916 can spread the wear across the valve 908 and prevent aparticular portion of the valve 908 from wearing substantially more thanother portions.

Although FIG. 9 depicts the vanes 910 on a bottom portion of the valve908, vanes may extend from several portions of a valve. As the fluidflow 920 contacts the vanes 910, torque may be induced on the valve 908and may cause the valve 908 to rotate with respect to the seat 916.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of an example of a process for passivelyrotating the valve assembly 900 of FIG. 9 using the fluid flow 920according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Although the processof FIG. 10 is described with reference to valve assembly 900, theprocess may be implemented with respect to any type of valve assembly.

In block 1002, the valve assembly 900 moves to the open position, suchas the position depicted in FIG. 9, and allow fluid flow 920 between theseal 914 and the seat 916. In some aspects, a pump may increase thepressure differential across valve 908 until the pressure differentialacross the valve 908 reaches a certain threshold amount to cause thevalve assembly 900 to move to an open position and create an openingbetween the seal 914 and the seat 916. For example, the pressuredifferential across a suction valve may increase as the pump decreasesdownstream fluid pressure. In other examples, the pressure differentialacross a discharge valve may increase as the pump increases upstreamfluid pressure.

As the valve assembly 900 moves to an open position, the upper stem 906may move towards the top retainer 902 to increase the portion of theupper stem 906 housed by the top retainer 902. The lower stem 912 mayalso move away from the bottom retainer 918 to reduce the portion of thelower stem 912 housed by the bottom retainer 918. With the valveassembly 900 in the open position, the fluid flow 920 may pass throughthe valve assembly 900 and may cause concentrated wear on an area of thevalve 908 with respect to the seat 916.

In some aspects, opening the valve assembly 900 may allow high-pressurehydraulic fracking fluid to be discharged from a positive displacementpump and into a wellbore. In other aspects, opening the valve assembly900 may allow low-pressure hydraulic fracking fluid to enter a pump. Inadditional or alternative aspects, the fluid flow 920 may consist of asand slurry, water, mud, or cement.

In block 1004, the valve 908 and lower stem 912 rotate with respect tothe seat 916 in response to the fluid flow 920 contacting the vanes 910.Before the fluid flow 920 passes through the opening between the seal914 and seat 916, the fluid flow 920 may contact with the vanes 910. Theenergy transferred from the fluid contacting the vanes 910 may inducetorque on the valve 908 and cause the valve 908 to rotate with respectto the seat 916. The upper stem 906, vanes 910, lower stem 912, and seal914 may also rotate. By rotating the valve 908, a different portion ofthe valve 908 may be within the area of concentrated wear caused by thefluid flow 920. As a result, operating wear may be normalized across thevalve 908.

In some aspects, vanes may extend from another portion of the valve 908including a top portion or exteriors that couple the top portion andbottom portion. The fluid flow 920 may contact the vanes after passingbetween the seal 914 and seat 916.

Some vanes may use more torque to be rotated. Particularly, at lowerpump flow rates, more torque may be used to overcome the frictionalresistance of the spring 904 and guide bushings. In some aspects, thespring 904 design may be modified to reduce the frictional resistance.In additional or alternative aspects, a swirl may be introduced to thefluid flow 920 as it passes the bottom retainer 918. The bottom retainer918 may include profiled support arms having surfaces that can changethe direction of the fluid flow 920 as the fluid flow 920 contacts thesurfaces. Changing the direction of the fluid flow 920 may introduce aswirl into the fluid flow 920. The swirl may induce torque on the valve908 or may increase the torque produced by contact between the fluidflow 920 and the vanes 910.

In block 1006, the valve assembly 900 moves to a closed position andprevents fluid flow 920 between the seal 914 and the seat 916. The fluidflow 920 passes through the valve assembly 900, and the pressuredifferential across the valve 908 is reduced. Eventually, the closingforce of the spring 904 returns valve assembly 900 to the closedposition. In the closed position, the seal 914 cooperates with the seat916 to prevent fluid flow. Furthermore, the upper stem 906 may move awayfrom the top retainer 902, reducing the portion of the upper stem 906housed by the top retainer 902. Additionally, the lower stem 912 maymove toward the bottom retainer 918 and increase the portion of thelower stem 912 housed by the bottom retainer 918.

Due to the rotation of the valve in block 1004, the seal 914 may nowcontact a different portion of the seat 916. By contacting a differentportion of the seat 916, the wear across seal 914 is further normalized.

In some aspects, passive rotation of a valve using fluid flow isprovided according to one or more of the following examples:

Example #1: A valve may include a body with a bottom portionpositionable with respect to a seat for preventing fluid flow in aclosed position of the valve. The valve may also include a lower stemextending axially from the bottom portion to position the bottom portionwith respect to the seat. The valve may also include at least one vaneextending from the body for responding to fluid flow in an open positionof the valve to cause the valve and the lower stem to rotate withrespect to the seat.

Example #2: The valve of Example #1 may feature the at least one vaneextending from the bottom portion. Also, the at least one vane mayinclude a surface for responding to a portion of the fluid flow beforethe portion of the fluid flow passes between the body and the seat.

Example #3: The valve of Example #2 may feature the at least one vanecoupled to the lower stem and a portion of the at least one vane is maybe positionable within an opening in the seat for maintaining the bottomportion in alignment with the seat.

Example #4: The valve of Example #1 may feature the at least one vaneextending from a top portion of the body and the at least one vane mayinclude a surface for responding to a portion of the fluid flow afterthe portion of the fluid flow passes between the body and the seat.

Example #5: The valve of Example #1 may feature the body with one ormore exteriors coupling a top portion of the body and the bottomportion. The at least one vane may extend from the one or more exteriorsand the at least one vane may include a surface for responding to aportion of the fluid flow after the portion of the fluid flow passesbetween the body and the seat.

Example #6: The valve of Example #1 may feature the at least one vaneincluding a curved surface for responding to the fluid flow in the openposition of the valve by using energy of the fluid flow to induce torqueon the valve and the lower stem in a direction based on an apex of thecurved surface.

Example #7: The valve of Example #1 may feature a portion of the lowerstem positionable in a housing of a bottom retainer positioned upstreamin the fluid flow to align the bottom portion with respect to the seat.The bottom retainer may include at least one profiled support arm forintroducing a swirl to the fluid flow, and the at least one vane mayextend from the body for further responding to the swirl in the fluidflow.

Example #8: The valve of Example #1 may feature the at least one vaneextending from the body for responding to fluid flow in the openposition of the valve by causing the valve and the lower stem to rotatewith respect to the seat such that operating wear is spread across thevalve.

Example #9: The valve of Example #1 may feature the valve positionablein a positive displacement pump for pumping hydraulic fracking fluidinto a wellbore.

Example #10: A valve assembly may include a valve movable between anopen position and a closed position. The valve may include a seal. Thevalve assembly may also include a seat positionable with the seal toprevent fluid flow in the closed position. The valve assembly may alsoinclude a lower stem extending from a bottom portion of the valve foraligning the seal with the seat. The valve assembly may also include atleast one vane extending from the valve for responding to the fluid flowto cause the valve and the lower stem to rotate with respect to theseat.

Example #11: The valve assembly of Example #10 may further include aspring coupleable to a top portion of the valve for providing a force toprevent the fluid flow. The valve assembly of Example #10 may furtherinclude a bottom retainer positionable in the fluid flow. The bottomretainer may include a housing portion with an opening for accepting aportion of the lower stem and positionable to maintain alignment of theseal with respect to the seat. The bottom retainer may also include atleast one support arm extending from the housing portion for maintaininga position of the housing portion, and the at least one support arm mayinclude a surface to introduce a swirl to the fluid flow as the fluidflow passes the bottom retainer.

Example #12: The valve assembly of Example #10 may feature the at leastone vane extending from at least one of the bottom portion forresponding to a portion of the fluid flow before the portion of thefluid flow passes between the seal and the seat, a top portion of thevalve for responding to the portion of the fluid flow after the portionof the fluid flow passes between the seal and the seat, and exteriorportions of the valve for responding to the portion of the fluid flowafter the portion of the fluid flow passes between the seal and theseat.

Example #13: The valve assembly of Example #10 may feature a valve thatfurther includes a forged portion including the at least one vane. Theat least one vane may extend at an acute angle from the valve creating apocket for responding to the fluid flow to cause energy of the fluidflow to induce rotation of the valve and the lower stem with respect tothe seat.

Example #14: The valve assembly of Example #10 may feature the lowerstem including a first member extending from the bottom portion of thevalve. The lower stem may also include at least one second memberextending from the first member, the at least one second memberpositionable to extend at least partially into an opening in the seatand align the seal with respect to the seat and the at least one vane isa portion of the at least one second member such that the at least onesecond member includes a surface for responding to the fluid flow bycausing the valve and the lower stem to rotate with respect to the seat.

Example #15: The valve assembly of Example #10 may feature the valveassembly positionable in a positive displacement pump for pumpinghydraulic fracking fluid into a wellbore.

Example #16: The valve assembly of Example #10 may feature the at leastone vane extending from the valve for responding to the fluid flow tocause the valve and the lower stem to rotate with respect to the seatsuch that operating wear is spread across the valve.

Example # 17: A method may include moving a valve including a seal, alower stem extending axially from a bottom portion of the valve, and atleast one vane to an open position at which fluid flows between the sealand a seat. The method may also include rotating the valve and the lowerstem with respect to the seat using energy from the fluid contacting theat least one vane. The method may also include moving the valve to aclosed position at which the seat cooperates with the seal and preventsthe fluid flowing between the seat and the seal.

Example #18: The method of Example #17 may feature moving the valve tothe open position with a portion of the lower stem remaining within ahousing of a bottom retainer positioned upstream of the fluid withrespect to the valve such that the seal remains in alignment withrespect to the seat. The method of Example #17 may also includeintroducing a swirl to the fluid as it flows across a surface of thebottom retainer.

Example #19: The method of Example #17 may feature the valve positionedin a positive displacement pump for pumping hydraulic fracking fluidinto a wellbore.

Example #20: The method of Example #17 may feature rotating the valve tonormalize the operating wear across the valve due to at least one ofcontact of the seal with the seat and the fluid flowing between the sealand the seat.

The foregoing description of certain examples, including illustratedexamples, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration anddescription and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications,adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in theart without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve comprising: a body with a bottom portionpositionable with respect to a seat for preventing fluid flow in aclosed position of the valve; a lower stem extending axially from thebottom portion to position the bottom portion with respect to the seat;and at least one vane extending from the body for responding to fluidflow in an open position of the valve to cause the valve and the lowerstem to rotate with respect to the seat.
 2. The valve of claim 1,wherein the at least one vane extends from the bottom portion and the atleast one vane comprises a surface for responding to a portion of thefluid flow before the portion of the fluid flow passes between the bodyand the seat.
 3. The valve of claim 2, wherein the at least one vane iscoupled to the lower stem and a portion of the at least one vane ispositionable within an opening in the seat for maintaining the bottomportion in alignment with the seat.
 4. The valve of claim 1, wherein theat least one vane extends from a top portion of the body and the atleast one vane comprises a surface for responding to a portion of thefluid flow after the portion of the fluid flow passes between the bodyand the seat.
 5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the body includes one ormore exteriors coupling a top portion of the body and the bottom portionand the at least one vane extends from the one or more exteriors and theat least one vane comprises a surface for responding to a portion of thefluid flow after the portion of the fluid flow passes between the bodyand the seat.
 6. The valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one vaneincludes a curved surface for responding to the fluid flow in the openposition of the valve to use energy of the fluid flow to induce torqueon the valve and the lower stem in a direction based on an apex of thecurved surface.
 7. The valve of claim 1, wherein a portion of the lowerstem is positionable in a housing of a bottom retainer positionedupstream in the fluid flow to align the bottom portion with respect tothe seat, the bottom retainer further comprising at least one profiledsupport arm for introducing a swirl to the fluid flow, and the at leastone vane extending from the body for further responding to the swirl inthe fluid flow.
 8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the at least one vaneextends from the body for responding to fluid flow in the open positionof the valve to cause the valve and the lower stem to rotate withrespect to the seat such that operating wear is spread across the valve.9. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve is positionable in a positivedisplacement pump for pumping hydraulic fracking fluid into a wellbore.10. A valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising: a valve movablebetween an open position and a closed position, the valve including aseal; a seat positionable with the seal to prevent fluid flow in theclosed position; a lower stem extending from a bottom portion of thevalve for aligning the seal with the seat; and at least one vaneextending from the valve for responding to the fluid flow to cause thevalve and the lower stem to rotate with respect to the seat.
 11. Thevalve assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a spring coupleable to atop portion of the valve for providing a force to prevent the fluidflow; and a bottom retainer positionable in the fluid flow andcomprising: a housing portion with an opening for accepting a portion ofthe lower stem and positionable to maintain alignment of the seal withrespect to the seat; and at least one support arm extending from thehousing portion for maintaining a position of the housing portion, andthe at least one support arm includes a surface to introduce a swirl tothe fluid flow as the fluid flow passes the bottom retainer.
 12. Thevalve assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one vane extends fromat least one of the bottom portion for responding to a portion of thefluid flow before the portion of the fluid flow passes between the sealand the seat, a top portion of the valve for responding to the portionof the fluid flow after the portion of the fluid flow passes between theseal and the seat, and exterior portions of the valve for responding tothe portion of the fluid flow after the portion of the fluid flow passesbetween the seal and the seat.
 13. The valve assembly of claim 10,wherein valve further includes a forged portion comprising the at leastone vane, and the at least one vane extends at an acute angle from thevalve creating a pocket for responding to the fluid flow to cause energyof the fluid flow to induce rotation of the valve and the lower stemwith respect to the seat.
 14. The valve assembly of claim 10, whereinthe lower stem comprises: a first member extending from the bottomportion of the valve; and at least one second member extending from thefirst member, the at least one second member positionable to extend atleast partially into an opening in the seat and align the seal withrespect to the seat and the at least one vane is a portion of the atleast one second member such that the at least one second memberincludes a surface for responding to the fluid flow by causing the valveand the lower stem to rotate with respect to the seat.
 15. The valveassembly of claim 10, wherein the valve assembly is positionable in apositive displacement pump for pumping hydraulic fracking fluid into awellbore.
 16. The valve assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least onevane extends from the valve for responding to the fluid flow to causethe valve and the lower stem to rotate with respect to the seat suchthat operating wear is spread across the valve.
 17. A method comprising:moving a valve including a seal, a lower stem extending axially from abottom portion of the valve, and at least one vane to an open positionat which fluid flows between the seal and a seat; rotating the valve andthe lower stem with respect to the seat using energy from the fluidcontacting the at least one vane; and moving the valve to a closedposition at which the seat cooperates with the seal and prevents thefluid flowing between the seat and the seal.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein moving the valve to the open position further comprises aportion of the lower stem remaining within a housing of a bottomretainer positioned upstream of the fluid with respect to the valve suchthat the seal remains in alignment with respect to the seat, and themethod further comprises introducing a swirl to the fluid as it flowsacross a surface of the bottom retainer.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein the valve is positioned in a positive displacement pump forpumping hydraulic fracking fluid into a wellbore.
 20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein rotating the valve further comprises normalizing theoperating wear across the valve due to at least one of contact of theseal with the seat and the fluid flowing between the seal and the seat.